Devil Incarnate (Boys of Preston Prep #4) - Angel Lawson Page 0,76

bluster, I think he doesn’t mind Micha as much as he pretends. It’s hard not to like the kid. I’d seen the two of them last night, geeking out over that stupid teen show. They were about five more minutes of airtime away from having an actual civilized conversation.

I hover beside Micha, hands just under his back in case he needs a save. He doesn’t, though. The truth is, there’s nothing keeping Micha from being a good swimmer other than his refusal to learn. He’s a cool kid, but chock full of that Adams stubbornness.

Me, on the other hand…

“Good job,” Heston says, once Micha has mastered the back float. “Haynes, your turn.”

His tone is aloof, which is perfectly appropriate here. Student and teacher, that’s what we are. Except my skin prickles under the heat of his gaze as he watches me shift to my back, one hand clutching Micha’s arm while the other flails uselessly around in the water.

“Ease into it,” Heston says, pausing his pacing to lower into a loose crouch. “Just like you’re laying down.”

I give a few more flails, breath trapped tightly in my throat. “I can’t,” I squeak.

Firmly, he insists, “You can.”

I shoot him a fiery glare, but it’s met with the ice cold blue of his eyes. I blink first. “You promise you won’t let me drown?” I beg Micha.

“Of course not.” He holds out both hands like that proves something. “How about I stand behind you and hold your shoulders?”

“Okay,” I say, chewing on my lip. “That might work.”

From the edge of the pool, Heston issues the same directions as he gave Micha. I bend my knees and lower my shoulders into the water. Sensing Micha’s presence behind me, I try to relax.

“Now,” Heston adds, “push your belly and tit—uh—chest up.” His eyes narrow at the slip in language. “Butt flat, like a board.”

I do as he says, feeling briefly like I can handle it. The water is cool and I can sense the peace, can grasp the idea of floating like it might be something natural.

Heston says, “Relax your shoulders. Head all the way back.”

I look up at Micha’s sweet, encouraging face, and feel a boost of confidence, grinning back at him as I extend first one leg, and then the other.

“Straighten,” Heston says, watching. “Straighten. Straighten. Damn it, Haynes, straighten!”

Flinching, I completely lose whatever sense of peace I’d just gained. My ass drops, water whooshing up above my ears as I sink, and I bolt upright too suddenly, heart pounding. The movement makes a wave of water rush up into my face, engulfing me in its tide. It feels just like getting sucked under, water pouring into my mouth when I yelp instinctively.

“Oh god,” I choke, gagging on the bitter taste of chlorine and frustration. The water gets lodged in my windpipe, sending me into a coughing fit. Wheezing, I say, “Forget this. I’m done. Totally done!”

“Are you okay?” Micha asks, running his hand along my back. “How did that even happen?”

“You mean how did I almost drown myself in chest-deep water? I don’t know, but I’m over it.” Lurching toward the side of the pool, I grip the edge for dear life. “I’m done. That’s it. No more.”

“For the love of—” Heston takes a deep breath, nostrils flared, like he’s trying to hold in something mean. “Haynes, it was your first real try. You can do this, but you have to woman the fuck up and find your balls!”

“No part of that made any sense!” I let out a wracking cough, shaking my head. “I can’t.”

Heston rises from his crouch, pushing his hair back. “Adams, go ahead and head to the locker room. You’re done for the day.” In a low, begrudging voice, he offers, “Good job.”

Micha looks at me, a kind but worried question in his eyes. I nod my head in reply. He doesn’t need to listen to Heston berate me for being a loser who can’t swim. Brushing my wet hair off my face, I peer up at him.

He’s glaring down at me, arms crossed over his broad chest. “So you’re just going to give up like some little bitch?”

I slump dejectedly against the edge of the pool, fixing my eyes to his stupid, hideous crocs. “Why not?”

He snaps, “Because you need to do this to pass the class, and I need you to pass the class so I can get the hell out of here.”

Rolling my eyes, I look up at him. “That sounds like a you